News
MWRD invites small businesses to connect, learn and grow at 2026 IMPACT Small Business Summit on Sept. 24
July 17, 2026
Designed to help businesses successfully compete for government contracting opportunities, the MWRD's IMPACT Small Business Summit brings together leadership, industry experts, prime contractors and consultants, government agencies and assist agency partners for a day of networking, education and meaningful connections.
Discover how the MWRD protects the waterways during our August 4 virtual tour
July 16, 2026
Follow the flush for a live virtual tour of the MWRD’s water reclamation process on August 4 at 2 p.m.
New video explores MWRD, DWM work managing Chicago water
July 16, 2026
A new video produced by the MWRD and DWM chronicles the varied yet integral roles the two agencies play in managing Chicago’s water.
"Thornton Reservoir down to 73% capacity as drainage continues," Daily Southtown
July 14, 2026
The Thornton Composite Reservoir has dropped to 73% full after nearly reaching capacity last week. Thornton Village Administrator Vivian Payne said Tuesday reports of bad odors coming from the reservoir were sensationalized by the media.
MWRD Board of Commissioners to meet Thursday, July 16 at 10:30 a.m.
July 14, 2026
Board meetings are open to the public and can be streamed online.
"With extreme rainfall overwhelming Chicago’s sewers, the city tries a new approach," Smart Cities Dive
July 13, 2026
Chicago is building a $12 million pilot project that will capture and temporarily store nearly 1.7 million gallons of excess stormwater in an underground detention system during heavy rainfall and gradually release it into the sewer system as capacity becomes available. The Wing Storage project — a partnership between the Chicago Department of Water Management and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago — will be installed beneath city streets and attached to existing sewer infrastructure on Chicago’s West Side, where major storms caused severe flooding in 2023.